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Recent murder and prostitution among North Side residents' concerns to Syracuse police chief

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Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner speaks briefly to the North Side TNT community group tonight. She was joined by police Lt. Richard Shoff (Ieft) and Chief Frank Fowler (center).
(Douglass Dowty | ddowty@syracuse.com)

Syracuse, NY - Syracuse North Side residents expressed frustration at a wide variety of crimes - from a recent homicide to roaming prostitutes -- during a meeting tonight with Police Chief Frank Fowler.

Sally Whitney, who recently bought a house near Schiller Park, said she knew the city's latest homicide victim, Corey Hill, who was shot to death Sunday while escorting a co-worker home to Steuben Street.

She and others wondered how someone could be shot at 3 a.m. Sunday, but neighbors didn't call police until hours later.

Several people shouted: "They're afraid!" Fowler didn't deny that some residents worry about retaliation from criminals after helping police, but stressed that people need to be proactive in responding to crime.

The North Side TNT meeting attracted about 50 people to the Magnarelli Recreation Center at McChesney Park.

Several people complained to Fowler that police officers were rude and even told residents the North Side was "going down fast" and they should leave.

"I will not tolerate garbage like that," Fowler said. "The North Side is not going down, the city is not going down. That's why we're in this room tonight, to make sure that doesn't happen."

As for complaints against officers' demeanor, the chief urged residents to report bad behavior to a police supervisor. When pressed on why officers misbehave, he offered a glimpse into the makeup of the police department.

"The police department is a microcosm of society," the chief said, stressing he had the utmost respect for his officers as a whole. But he added that bad apples can make it into uniform.

"To become a cop, you have to pass a test, have a valid driver's license and go through a strenuous screening process," the chief said. "Some slip through the cracks."

He promised to bring up officer demeanor during the department's yearly officer training and personally deal with officers who deserve punishment.

Another complaint concerned prostitutes in the area between Butternut Street and Washington Square Park. In response, Fowler noted that an officer had been stationed at the park in recent days.

He said the department studies crime trends to determine where to allocate resources.

"I utilize data to drive the police department," he said. "I send my people to where the problems are."

Fowler also reiterated his call for more police cameras to deter crime. A few cameras were recently placed along Butternut Street.

"I love cameras," he said. "I will tell you, I absolutely love cameras." Police can use footage from home security cameras to catch criminals, as well, he said.

Mayor Stephanie Miner attended and spoke briefly at the end. She commended Fowler for getting more citizens to cooperate with police. It's rare to have a serious crime - such as gunfire - that isn't reported, she said.